UE: The Home of
Independent Unionism
The
National Center for
Independent Trade Unionism
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Organizing
Victory |
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Iowa United Professionals have organized and
grown since affiliating with UE as Local 893-IUP. Independent
unions who affiliate with UE find the support and resources of
a national union while maintaining their own local autonomy.
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In UE, we are building a revitalized labor movement,
one that's not only active and alive in the
workplace but in the forefront of struggles
nationwide.
UE has a special interest in
preserving and enhancing independent unions — we were founded by
local independent unions who linked up to form a national union. UE
was founded in 1936 by 17 local independents who came together in
Buffalo, New York to share their experiences, pool their resources,
and to develop plans to help other groups of workers organize their
workplaces. Aware of the abuse of power by top-down, bureaucratic
unions in the past, these local unions were careful to protect their
own autonomy, even as they created a powerful new national union.
It's a principle we've been careful to respect ever since.
A Resource for Our
Locals
Historically, we see UE as the
national home for independent unions. We provide the
resources, experience, and assistance to the 150 local unions which
form our national union — but UE locals run their own affairs.
Whether it's researching employers; expanding
steward systems; developing strategic plans; providing leadership
and steward training or providing support for grievance handling and
at the bargaining table ... UE is there to help with the resources
and experience that only a national union can provide. Yet
affiliating unions keep their own autonomy ... manage their own
treasury ... and make their own important local decisions. It's
something all UE local unions understand and expect.
UE's rank and file principles protect local autonomy
and guarantee that the members run the union while providing the resources necessary to
operate. That's why UE has become the national center for independent trade unionism
in the country today.
Many independent unions have affiliated with UE in just
the last few years. To hear from some newly-affiliated members, click here. To contact the UE Independent Unions Department click here.
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